The moment I understood why I chose healthcare was not during a lecture or clinical; it was during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life. After a complicated delivery with my son, I experienced severe complications that left me physically weak and emotionally overwhelmed. In that moment, it was not just the medical care that impacted me, but the compassion, patience, and presence of the nurses who cared for me. They reminded me that healthcare is not only about treating the body, but about supporting the whole person. That experience planted the seed for my nursing journey, but my purpose became even clearer as I grew into my role as a mother. I am a mother of three, including two toddlers diagnosed with autism and a son with ADHD and Level 1 autism. Navigating the healthcare system for my children opened my eyes to the realities many families face: long waitlists, limited access to resources, and a lack of understanding when it comes to neurodivergent individuals. I often found myself searching for answers, advocating for my children, and trying to make sense of behaviors that others did not always understand. These experiences did more than challenge me; they shaped my purpose. I chose to pursue a degree in healthcare because I want to be part of the solution. As I progress through my Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, I am beginning to understand the body from a clinical perspective, which has allowed me to connect my education to real-life experiences. Learning about neurological function, sensory processing, and behavior has helped me better understand my children and the patients I will one day serve. In addition to my academic journey, I created the Las Vegas Autism Resource Group, an online community that connects families with information, support, and shared experiences. This initiative showed me how many individuals feel lost within the healthcare system and how important it is to create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. In the future, I plan to use my degree to make a meaningful impact in the field of mental health. My goal is to become a Registered Nurse and continue my education as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I aspire to open a clinic in Las Vegas that provides accessible and comprehensive care for both children and adults on the autism spectrum. I want to create a calm, supportive environment where families can receive guidance, diagnoses, and ongoing care without the barriers that currently exist. Healthcare, to me, is more than a career—it is a commitment to improving lives. I want to be the nurse who listens, advocates, and provides compassionate care, especially for those who feel overlooked or misunderstood. Through my education and future practice, I am dedicated to helping close the gaps in care and creating a stronger, more inclusive healthcare system for my community.

The moment I realized I wanted to pursue a degree in mental health did not occur in a classroom. It happened in my home, in the quiet and often overwhelming moments of trying to understand my children. As a mother of three, including two toddlers diagnosed with autism and a son with ADHD and Level 1 autism, I was suddenly navigating a world filled with questions, uncertainty, and a deep desire to advocate for my family. In the early stages of my children’s diagnoses, I found myself searching for answers that were often difficult to access. I quickly realized that many families face similar challenges, including long wait times for evaluations, limited access to affordable services, and a lack of support for both children and adults who may be undiagnosed. This experience revealed a significant gap in mental health and developmental care, particularly within my community. What began as a personal journey soon became a clear calling. As I progressed in my nursing education, I began to connect my lived experiences with the scientific knowledge I was gaining. Learning about neurological function, sensory processing, and behavioral responses allowed me to understand my children on a deeper level. I came to recognize that many behaviors associated with autism are rooted in how the brain processes and responds to the environment. This understanding shifted my perspective from confusion to compassion and strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in mental health. Motivated by this experience, I created the Las Vegas Autism Resource Group, an online community where families can connect, ask questions, and access support. What began as a small effort quickly grew into a meaningful platform for individuals seeking guidance and understanding. Through this initiative, I have witnessed firsthand the need for accessible, compassionate, and informed mental health resources. Families are not only seeking services, but they are also seeking reassurance, education, and a sense of belonging. My goal is to become a Registered Nurse and continue my education as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I am particularly interested in supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, including adults who may have gone undiagnosed and are seeking answers later in life. The lack of accessible diagnostic services for adults is an issue that I am passionate about addressing. In the future, I plan to open a clinic in Las Vegas that provides comprehensive mental health and autism-related services for both children and adults. This clinic will focus on early diagnosis, adult assessment, and ongoing support in a calm, sensory-friendly environment, with staff trained to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. My pursuit of a degree in mental health is deeply rooted in both personal experience and professional aspiration. I am committed to using my education to advocate for underserved populations, improve access to care, and create spaces where individuals feel seen, understood, and supported. Mental health is not just a field I am entering; it is a mission I am dedicated to advancing.

I am currently a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student at the Arizona College of Nursing, Las Vegas campus. Nursing, to me, is more than a profession; it is a responsibility to advocate, support, and truly see patients in moments when they feel unseen. One area for growth within the nursing profession that I am deeply passionate about is mental health care and support for individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder, particularly in underserved communities. My passion for this area did not come from a textbook; it came from lived experience. As a mother of three, including two young children diagnosed with autism and a son with ADHD and Level 1 autism, I have personally navigated the challenges of accessing care, understanding diagnoses, and finding appropriate resources. Through this journey, I discovered a significant gap in healthcare: families often struggle not only to receive timely diagnoses for their children but also to find support for themselves. Even more concerning is the lack of accessible diagnostic services for adults, many of whom have gone their entire lives without understanding their own experiences. As I progress through my nursing education, I am beginning to connect what I am learning about the human body to what I see in my everyday life. Understanding neurological function, sensory processing, and behavior from a clinical perspective has allowed me to understand my children on a deeper level. It has also strengthened my commitment to making a difference in this field. In response to these challenges, I created the Las Vegas Autism Resource Group, a growing online community where families can ask questions, share experiences, and find guidance. This has shown me the overwhelming need for accessible, compassionate, and knowledgeable support systems within my community. Families are not just looking for answers; they are looking to feel understood, supported, and empowered. As a future Registered Nurse and ultimately a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I plan to contribute to this area of growth by advocating for more inclusive, accessible, and patient-centered mental health services. My long-term goal is to open a clinic in Las Vegas that provides comprehensive autism support for both children and adults. This clinic will focus on early diagnosis, adult assessment, education, and ongoing support in a calm, sensory-aware environment. I envision a space where individuals on the spectrum and their families feel safe, respected, and truly seen, supported by healthcare professionals trained to meet their unique needs. Nursing has the power to transform lives, not only through medical care but through compassion, understanding, and advocacy. My experiences have shaped me into someone who does not just want to work in healthcare but to improve it. I am committed to using my education, my voice, and my lived experience to help close the gaps in care and ensure that no family feels lost in the process. This is not just my career path. It is my purpose.